Week 15 - "Four Days on Planet Steve"

(SPECIAL NOTE:  This entry is five days late because there was a lot going on in my life.  According to my brother Phil, life is always in motion on "Planet Steve."  The following is an autobiographical account of four awesome days in words and pictures.)


"When you wake in the morning, have a smile on your face, enthusiasm in your voice, joy in your heart, and faith in your soul." - Dick Beardsley

I got hammered by life last week but all in good fun.  I felt like a whirling dervish at times as the week unfolded.  In addition to my running schedule of 50 miles for the week, there was:

• Preparing and presiding over the Summit Athletic Running Club (SARC) board meeting,
• Working for the wonderful folks at Peoples Bank,
• Picking up Dick Beardsley and Phil Hailer from Hopkins on Thursday and getting them to where they needed to be, (Which by the way was a lot of fun),
• Attending the Akron Marathon VIP reception on Thursday evening,
• All week was spent getting ready for the Friday morning Akron Canton Regional Foodbank breakfast that I was chairing presented by the running club,
• Helping staff the SARC booth at the Akron Marathon Expo for most of the day with Dick,
• Playing music at the two mile mark cheer station for the marathon at 7:00 a.m on Saturday,
• Going to the 6.75 mile and later the 11.75 mile marks to cheer and get pictures of friends and loved ones,
• Visiting briefly at the marathon finish line and then get Dick back to the house to clean up and then off to the airport,
• Getting a seven mile run in on Saturday afternoon in the metro park near Hopkins Airport after I dropped Dick off to catch his plane,
• Going out to Applebees for dinner with Phil and The Boss,
• Getting up Sunday morning and do a 20 mile run.

Am I missing anything?  Oh yes I did.  I missed my son Alex proposing to his girlfriend when he finished his first marathon.  There was other stuff but the above list is enough.  I felt like this guy:

It would be superfluous to put into words what can be said in pictures, so here's Thursday through Sunday with less words and more of your thoughts:

Putting signs out Thursday morning:

Phil and Dick, who became best friends within about 30 seconds of meeting each other. This is after lunch on Thursday at Winking Lizard in Peninsula, Ohio. Dick was blown away by the beauty of the lock and trail:

A visit to the Lindsonator's branch of Peoples Bank in Munroe Falls. This is what trouble looks like:

From the breakfast on Friday at Canal Park in Akron overlooking the Akron Marathon finish line with Dick with Karissa DiVincenzo, SARC member and events planner for Brouse McDowell in first picture.  Tracy Finn and Melodie Sams, SARC members in the second photo, and Paula "Bz" and Jane Wolfe, SARC members in third:

The on the field race general Brian Polen, Akron Marathon Race Director:

Three greats in their own right at the Summit Athletic Running Club expo booth, Olympic Gold Medal Winner Frank Shorter, SARC member Judge Linda Teodosio, with Dick:

Anne Bitong, executive director of the Akron Marathon stops by the SARC booth:

Linda Nahrstedt and Sara Drew, SARC members, with possibly the "World's Funniest Human Being," Rob Klein and Dick at the SARC expo booth:

Chillin' with the boys at the SARC expo booth:

Three inspirational giants together, Dick, Dre, and Zeke:

Ginny Hoffman, SARC member and the wife of my good friend Dr. Mike Hoffman who is the official oral surgeon of WeezersandGeezer.blogspot.com. Photo was taken in the Expo lobby. Ginny is a Boston qualifier and like The Boss is to me, Ginny plays "The Road Runner" to Mike's role as "The Coyote" on the roads. "Beep! Beep!":

Lunch with Dick and Phil, and who did we run into? None other than Father Norm. Two legends in human motivation together at The Lockview Restaurant in Downtown Akron.:

Phil and Dick hanging with DEVO after lunch figuring out how to deal with problems as they come along. "Whip it good!":

Saturday morning at 5:30 a.m. with Phil, The Boss (TB), and Dick:

Saturday morning at 7:10 a.m:

Ed Sturkey, an officially adopted Hailer brother at the two mile music stop. Ed drove all the way to Hingham, Massachusetts to be at my dad's wake and funeral in January 2014. I love this guy.  A true friend. He truly is, my brother.:

Here come the leaders at guess which mile mark:

My running coach, close friend and backbone of the behind the scenes workings of SARC, David Cooper:

Dick Beardsley at 2.0 miles running the half. In the words of Warren Zevon, "An excitable boy they all said.":

Cheri Crum, a dear friend from Buckeye Gym, on her way to a blistering first leg performance for the PEBO ROCKS relay team:

Becky Ryba waving at two miles.  She's a solid and consistant runner from a family that means a lot to me:

Michelle Gessler-Rodriguez who was part of a Galloway group I joined years ago:

SARC member Paula "Bz." stopping by the aid station. Always smiling!:

SARC member Bonnie Calcei at 11.75 miles. Solid runner.  Determined. A true athlete.:

Family concert buddy, habitual positive person, SARC member, and six time Boston qualifier Tracy Finn looking strong at 11.75 miles:

Dick waving at 11.75 as he blows by with his surgically repaired legs.  To quote Darth Vader, "Most Impressive!":

The Boss on the right in blue on her way to a 2:05:11 according to marathon records for the half marathon:

Youngest son Alex at 11.75 miles running his first marathon:

Phil, "Mr. 70 Marathons" Hailer, looking old school with his cotton blend old school Red Sox t-shirt:

Your humble host hamming it up for Chuck Armao and his camera at Canal Park while waiting on Dick and TB.  Every year I wear a Jim Brown jersey out of respect for the greatest football player of all-time:

SARC member Paul Organ after running a half marathon and volunteering late into the night in helping to set up the starting line. Then he comes back three hours before the race to help some more before he ran. This what a first class person looks like.:

Champions to me, Dick and TB:

Two of the classiest people you will ever meet, Jeannine and Steve Marks co-founders of the marathon at the finish line.  They will be the first to tell you that it takes everybody to pull the Rubber City Series off, but let's be honest, it started with these two:

Away from the stadium finish, Dick and SARC member and long time marathoner Ralph Lowery who was working behind the scenes to help clean up while others are enjoying the festivities at Canal Park.  It's an example of the dedication of any Akron Marathon race volunteer:

Alex the and Heather, the future "Mrs. Alex." She hears Jason Aldean.  He hears Teddy Pendergrass. Together they are great!

Alex and Heather with their favorite player "Tom Brady?":

Nephew and uncle as marathon finishers:

Where I spent seven miles on my Saturday afternoon on Valley Parkway near Cleveland Hopkins Airport:

Below is the text I sent to Alex while on the trail, not realizing he still had two miles to go when he read it.  I called him when I was done with my run.  He told me that my words helped him get through the last two miles. I cried after we ended the call. Here is the text:

"I am incredibly prod of you. This is YOUR moment. Color me proud of you. Love, Pops"

Sent from my IPhone

"Sunday Selfie"on a 20 miler at about thirteen miles into the distance on Kent to Silver Lake trail.  Any rumors that I stopped at my friend's Dairy Queen store on Fishcreek Road in Stow to get a small twist cone dipped in chocolate at the fifteen mile mark.......are true.  Once an Uncle Cookie, always an Uncle Cookie.  

I was inspired by all in Akron, and I will take my mental images of all and their energy with me to Columbus on the 18th.  What I'll remember most when the miles hurt is this message of hope and positivity expressed by Dick Beardsley to Melodie Sams' in his "Duel in the Sun" book that I opened today's offering with:

Well there you have it.  A Thursday through Sunday look at the story of "Planet Steve." It was a great place to be in the Universe. Now its time to return to earth.  Fine by me.  I've got a marathon to run in about two weeks.  I'm bringing all of you with me in my heart when I run.

Week14 - We Are All Under Construction

"My life is a work in progress."

- A Friend from Canada

Well, there's now officially just slightly less than four weeks left to go to the Columbus Marathon.  Today was supposed to be a 12 mile run.  I traded this weekend for last week's half marathon, so today was almost a 20 miler.  I called in the dogs at 18.5 miles. No regrets.  It was enough. Next week is a 50 mile week.  After that, I begin the tapering process.

I was inspired this week when a wonderful friend of mine referred to their life as a "work in process."  It's so true of all of us.  For most of our lives, we get endless second chances to get it right. The word "right" in this case would be defined in the spirit of Dr. George Sheehan as, "Becoming the person you believe you were meant to be."  To achieve this goal, it takes work and its an everyday effort, whether it relates to running or other aspects of our lives.  There's one thing for sure.  My journey to Columbus has helped me deal in a positive way with whatever disappointments I have encountered in the past fourteen weeks in all areas of my life. It's really been quite a wonderful experience up until now.  I feel like an athlete.  

There have been some close calls but I have had no accidents and no injuries.  These final weeks to Columbus will be spent working on my race day pace, nutrition, and preparation.  I am going to adjust my sleep schedule and life style each day so I can emulate having to get up earlier on race day. I want race morning to feel as normal as possible.  

The Summit Athletic Running Club is hosting a public breakfast at Canal Park the morning before the Akron Marathon featuring marathon great Dick Beardsley.  The event is to honor and support the work of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.  I love the dedication of the people at the Foodbank.  Their life's work is to feed lots of people who need a hand up.  I cannot imagine a hungry student being able to learn.  Those young people's lives without proper nutrition are like running a marathon without training for it.  You can possibly do it, but the odds are against you. It all serves as a guide for me to get it right these final weeks. The breakfast event is an outgrowth of my journey and encouragement of the folks from the Akron Marathon. We are going to have a great turnout at the breakfast!

Dick Beardsley:

Here's the personal scorecard for now.  I was 245 pounds earlier this year and 235 when I started this Blog.  My weight is volatile but within a range of 219 to 225 pounds.  A lot of this fluctuation is caused by not completely eliminating sugar from my diet other than from natural sources.  As of tonight, processed sugar is gone from my diet except for the next four Saturday afternoons when I watch college sports.  While I have been eating much better, I will be more gratified the evening of October 18 if I stop most sugar use now. It's probably that one more thing I can do that will help me have a positive marathon race experience.  By the way, my blood pressure has significantly improved over the past fourteen weeks, and all of my other health readings like cholesterol etc. are excellent.  

This is THE last week of full-on running and body stress until marathon day. The next four weeks are building a foundation for the rest of my life for however long that may be.  Know this.  I'm happy.  I'm inspired by the support I have received regarding this Blog.  After this posting, I will be closing in on close to 5,000 reads of weezersandgeezers.blogspot.com.  I know what I am doing is not any more special than what other runners are doing to prepare for their running events. This however is my journey and I am so glad that I have shared my experiences. The emails, personal comments, and the fact that my compositions have brought me closer to people I haven't seen in some cases for years, like my awesome cousins. The accountability of the Blog has helped me take the first step out the door to the scheduled training runs.

The journey and a dear co-worker helped connect me with a wonderful organization:

This is a group that helps people who have been stricken with cancer go on their own personal journey and adventures. I truly would not have fully appreciated this organization without the experience of the past fourteen weeks. (lifeisgoodnomatterwhat.org) The lives these folks help, have a shorter time line in their life's process.  All have a motto: "Celebrate Life Today Like There's No Tomorrow." What I have learned most is that the motto doesn't just apply to the people Life Is Good supports.  More than ever, it applies to you and me. 

So many positive by-products of the running schedule.  So many good things to look forward to on a daily basis.  It's worth repeating. "Celebrate life today like there's no more tomorrow." 

As my friend said, "My life is a work in progress." Yeah, you and me too. Together, our journey's are far from lonely, a lot more meaningful, and most of all, fun.  What do you say? Since we are all people "Under Construction," let's each of us celebrate the chance to be just a little bit better person, every single day. For me, I do that through running and I couldn't have gotten this far without your interest and support.  Many thanks! I"ll be celebrating the evening of October 18.....no matter what.

Week 13 - "No Watch, No IPod, No Problem"

"Log off, shut down, and go run."
- Anonymous

The series of pictures above and the confrontation itself, changed so much in not only the running community, but in the social conscience of America and in many parts of the world.  These pictures say so much when you just look and study them.  Know what you don't see?  IPods, headphones, watches, and smartphones, and you might as well throw in today's technologically designed clothing. In spite of all that, Kathrine Switzer managed to change history.

Here's another pioneer in running.  It's Roger Bannister breaking the four minute mile. Let's pile on the list of don't haves of yesterday's runners by looking at their lousy running shoes by today's standards.  Somehow, these two icons of running were able to be forces of nature without the help of today's technology.

For those of you reading this who do not follow me on Facebook, I ran in the 16th Annual Hermes River Half Marathon Run that goes from Berea, Ohio to Rocky River, Ohio.  The course is on the Valley Parkway in the Cleveland Metro Park System.  It is absolutely one of the most beautiful half marathon courses that can be run. In the past 140 days, my half marathon time has decreased by approximately forty-five minutes.  

Today, I ran another race without a watch, IPod, or IPhone.  I found myself once again focusing on not only the running experience, but each moment of the race.  I made the commitment from the start that I would enjoy each and every step of the run and NOT PUSH myself.  Below is a picture of me at the start of the race.  I'm the big guy in the brown shirt, grey running shorts, and the compression socks. The man and woman in the matching grey shirts had headphones on and were yelling to hear each rather than take an earbud out while trying to communicate.  That made them the most annoying people in the race and helping to document today's thesis.  I couldn't wait to get away from these folks.  Toads!

About two miles into the race today I met this lady. Her name is Vanessa. As I came to find out, she has a son with cerebral palsy.  She had a great attitude towards life and I would have totally missed running with her had I been in my own little world.  While we separated at eight miles, I have to say that she made a positive difference in my experience today.

Vanessa and I split up when I decided to pick up the pace slightly but not in any manner that would tire me.  My thoughts turned to runners I know who have impacted me particularly some of my more recent friendships.  One such friend, Melodie Sams and I got to do "high fives" early on in the race as she was heading out and I was heading towards an early turnaround in the race.  That was very helpful to my perspective.  Shortly after her, The Boss came by. Perfect.

I was feeling really good about the day as I focused on my pace and my breathing.  I truly felt like a runner.  I traded humorous remarks with the aid station volunteers. I thanked them for volunteering.  At no time did I reminisce about the runner I used to be.  Today was about acceptance of where and who I am today.  

With today's effort, I got 52 miles in for the week. This was unimaginable 140 days ago.  I know there are plenty of people both faster and slower.  I wish them all well.  For me, I'm just going to keep moving forward in a measured fashion.  This gentleman got it exactly right:

One thing is for sure.  I will be running in more events without today's technology. I'm going to keep focusing on the whole race experience. I can't do that with noise that shuts me off from the rest of the world.  Somehow, I know that the1967 version of K.V. Switzer would approve as would Roger Bannister.  You know who else would approve?  The 1983 version of Steve Hailer who ran 39:45 (6:25/mile) for a ten kilometer race in Dunkirk, Ohio and then later that year a ninety three minute half marathon in Dayton at the age of thirty-three.  Know what he didn't have that day? Yep, current day technology. That guy ran by feel.  Based on experience, I think I'm on to something. 

I had plenty of energy left today at the end of the 13.1 miles.  This best explains what I was thinking after I crossed the finish line:

Regarding Sunday, September 13th, nothing more needs to be said except, "It was a great day."

Week 12 - Running, Stress, Depression, Peace (W&G Special Edition)

"The farther I run, the smaller my problems become."

- Anonymous

Running helps me deal with stress.  I can put my life in perspective when I run.  The smell of the woods, the sounds of the traffic, the feel of my running shoes hitting the pavement or wooded trails, the sweat during and then after a workout, and the rush of endorphins from my physical efforts are my game changers.  When I run, I can't remember what my problems are.  Those times that I add music or listen to the radio, a different positive experience is created.  

It hasn't always been like this.  I got away from running in September of 1989.  By May of 1990 the pressure of my work became an emotional burden. The general stress of life and all of the pressures I was dealing with at that time landed me on the road to depression. I stopped eating only to later over compensate for this period.  And yes, I had thoughts of suicide. Fortunately, I had, and I have, a loving wife, family, and friends.  Make no mistake about it though, I struggled. 

My loss of confidence was crippling at times.  I felt like this guy:

Little by little though it got better.  I remember my exact comeback moment in June 1990 like it was yesterday.  My immediate family and I were on a whale watch cruise off of Provincetown, Massachusetts at the very northern tip of Cape Cod. On the way back to port, it began to rain lightly and everybody else went inside the cabin for cover.  I went to the bow of the small ship and just looked off in the distance as Provincetown got closer.  I realized that my son Adam, who was twelve at the time, had come out on deck and was standing next to me.  He asked me, "You thinking about work dad?"  I looked down at him and smiled and said, "The hell with 'em!"  My son responded, "Good for you dad."  Then we hugged.  I remember smiling and thinking to myself, "It's time to face my problems." When we got back to our cottage, I went out for a run.

I have come to understand the definition of the word stress.  Its pretty simple to define actually.  "Stress is the gap between our expectations of life and our personal standards."  The pathway into happiness can be as simple as lowering your expectations but not lowering your standards. The game plan really is that simple.  The commitment to want to get better for me was the challenge. That simple moment with my oldest son helped me breakout of my emotional loop.  This is the cycle that anyone who is feeling down is up against:

Every now and then I would go for a run. I started to feel better.  It wasn't easy.  It took several years to get completely back to where I needed to be. Again, I had a support system for which I will always be grateful. Family and friends helped me understand that it was general negativity of my then work situation that was destroying my sense of inner peace.

I made a commitment to myself to do more running, play the guitar, be a better husband and father, and focus on growing in my professional skills. These steps helped me amass a string of little victories along the way that built something much bigger which helped me out of my depression.

The next logical question is, "Why are you telling us this Steve?"  The answer is that I have a lot of friends right now who are dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, and are fighting their own personal issues or helping others who are emotionally challenged right now. Some of them are runners.  Some of them will be reading this and I love them all.  This is my way of letting them know that they are not alone. I've been there.  So have millions of us. There's nothing to be ashamed of or to feel embarrassed about. 

Some of the notables who have dealt with depression are: Abraham Lincoln, Billy Joel, Owen Wilson, Jon Hamm, and James and his brother Livingston Taylor, just to name only a few.  This is a pretty impressive company if you ask me.  You probably have your own list of loved ones and famous people.  

Everybody is going through something. It's life and its okay to be down once and awhile. Stand in a crowd sometime and just observe and try to imagine what everybody is thinking. Chances are that they have the same concerns or worse that you have. Two of the keys to finding your smile are: "Don't give up and don't give in."  

I don't know if this posting helps anybody but if you're every feeling down or stressed, just remember, everybody is going through something. Marathon great Deena Kastor says that its the times that challenge us the most that define us. Right now in my life, running helps me keep the challenges and disappointments of life in perspective. 

Surround yourself with positive people and by all means:

My journey to the Columbus Marathon is giving me a daily sense of joy.  My story is more complicated than it appears but then so is yours too. When I'm running, life is pretty simple. It's one foot in front of the other.  It's one mile after another. The destination is at the end of a road paved with inner peace and all the wonderful things that come with it. I'm happy and a long way from May of 1990. I think I will just keep on keeping on. I'm having too much fun.

Week 12 - Never Grow Old, Never Ever Die Young

"Never grow old, never ever die young." 

- James Taylor

Six weeks to go!

This week could not have been more special than what it was.  The highlight clearly was running in the Ohio Northern University cross country meet Friday night vs. Bluffton, Tiffin, and Ohio  Christian universities.  As I posted on my Facebook site, "I was first in my age group."

Then on Saturday morning just twelve hours later and about 147 miles away from Bluffton, in Westlake, Ohio, I ran the Celebrate Westlake 5K.  In both events over the two days, I ran without a watch or my IPod.  I just concentrated on my effort and breathing and my performance improved.

This is me running for Ohio Northern in the fall of 1969:

This is me 46 years later:

Back in 1968 and 1969 we had eight members on the cross country team.  Even better, there is now a women's team that is plentiful in numbers. This is what the men's team looks like today with one older fella in the middle, but it connects 47 years of ONU cross country history if even for only one night:

What a gift this week was for me on so many levels.  And then it got better. 

I held back during the Westlake race. I wanted to be in control.  No injuries please. I just needed a little speed work to keep myself honest. When I use to be good, I never wore a watch or listened to music.  I listened to my body, sometimes prayed, and I always experienced what was happening all around me. I did my best work back then.  The music on this part of the journey has helped to get me to this point. As I move forward these last six weeks, the music will be less and less a part of the training experience.  I just want to "be" when I run.

In the days leading up to these back to back races, this past Wednesday, was its own special moment.  I ran most of the first half of the new Akron Marathon course.  Here's a spectacular view of Downtown Akron from the 5 mile mark on the All-America Bridge:

Then on Thursday in the late afternoon, the power went out at home around 5:30 p.m. so rather than just sit around in the dark and wait for the lights to come on, I went to Sand Run Parkway and got five miles in just because.  Talk about a massive change in a Homer Simpson like attitude in a person.  The run was alone and because of the light rain and the fact the road had been shut down to traffic, I had the trail mostly to myself.  It was quietly exhilarating. Had I not gone, these are sights that I would have missed Thursday night on the Sand Run Trail:

Four solid days of running in a row.  I changed the Hal Higdon schedule slightly to accommodate my body.  I took today off but The Boss and I did a ten mile bike ride late yesterday and then went out on kayaks for around ninety minutes this morning. Tomorrow is a 20 mile run.  I think I will do two round trips of the Kent to Silver Lake Trail plus two miles.  I will let you know how I did next Sunday.

Here's the biggest news of the week for me.  I am no longer clinically obese.  I'm just overweight.  Oh yeah, my weight is south of 220 pounds.  I haven't seen these kinds of numbers since the Olympics were in Atlanta. 

So what was really special about this week? I had fun. Lots of fun.  I got a paycheck on my training and it felt good. I'm still young inside and I am reconnected to a time that gave me The Woman I'm Related to By Marriage and memories of real physical speed.  I may not be that "Sixties" guy anymore, but the spirit still lives in this guy in his mid-sixties.  Like James Taylor says in his song, "Never grow old, never ever die young."  I'm pretty sure I know what he means.  Great advice. I think I'll take it. Better yet.  I think I will continue to put it into practice. It will keep me young, and last time I checked, I'm not dead yet.  That's a very good thing!

Week 11 - The Blue Line

"The Blue Line" for those of you reading this out of the Akron area refers to the actual blue line that runs through the city of Akron that marks the Akron Marathon course.  Every year, runners of all abilities start out in the heart of Akron's downtown and proceed up South High Street across the All-America Bridge.  Each runner is in search of their own personal definition of success.  One of my annual joys is setting up a large sound system and playing music, encouraging the runners, and watching the personal stories unfold at the marathon.

This year is no different.  The two mile mark of this year's marathon course is located at the Peoples Bank, North Akron location. I will get a chance to play music one more time, give high fives, and join in with a group of wonderful people in a cheer section.  Joining our cheering section will be none other than legendary marathoner Dick Beardsley who will also be cheering runners on and giving high fives and encouragement. We will have a high spirited group. Next year I will be running the race.

Here's Dick (#3) from "The Duel in the Sun" at the 1982 Boston Marathon:

Friends of mine posted pictures on Facebook of their training run on the Blue Line yesterday.  I was both happy for them and jealous at the same time.  Most of my miles have been alone.  Here's a picture of my favorite eating place.  It's a real paradox for me as I look at this picture.  The Blue Line represents a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Swensons is a regular experience for me for lunchtime. Can you say. "Quarter pound hamburger and french fries?" (Dear Lord and Richard Simmons, please forgive me).

To be totally honest, I wish I was running this year but I knew I would not be ready by the race date.  Several times I registered for previous Akron Marathons and each time injuries deterred me from getting ready.  My favorite individual mishap was Friday morning, September 24, 2010 at 6:00 a.m. the day before that year's race.  I broke my little toe on my right foot walking down the stairs in my home. Instead of going to the marathon expo to pick up my race packet, I was sitting in my favorite orthopedic doctor's office visiting my friend Dr. Greg Hill.  Bummer.  That is was just the beginning of my string of almost five years of nagging Achilles, hamstring, and other health issues.

This year, for the first time in a long time, I feel healthy. Since the infamous mishap that Friday morning in 2010, I have been searching and hoping for this moment.  I know that I am nobody special when it comes to running.  I'm a full fledged card carrying member of "The Back of the Pack."  I know I'm slow, but for four months I have been consistent and uninjured.  Color me grateful.

Everyone of the marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay runners on September 26, 2015 will be chasing their dream.  There will be millions of others between now and then at races all over the world and well after, that will do likewise.  I'm honored to be allowed at my age to still be part of this group.

Dr. Sheehan once said that it doesn't matter if you run, swim, walk, ride a bike, or participate in some other level of fitness activity.  Figure out what your "brand" is and then embrace it.  It's all about becoming a fit animal.

I've got a total of 501 miles on my various Brooks Ghost running shoes since May 1, 2015.  I completed 187 miles in August.  I'm resting tomorrow.  As of right now I am not injured.  I have lost twenty pounds and I'm eating healthier.  I'm far from perfect.  I know. I  saw mom this month and she reiterated that point. Moms have a way of keeping it real. Come to think of it, most of my family and real friends, (See the Oracle of Delphi posting), don't mind letting me know that either.  They of course are absolutely correct and I love them for it.  Perfection is unattainable, but achieving excellence at any level is.  Well, that's just fine with me.  I'm not there yet, but I'll keep working at it.
It gives me something in common with everybody else who will be chasing their dream on September 26th and then again three weeks later.

I'm proud to be part of the Akron Marathon experience!  I'll be there cheering and rooting for every single athlete I see.  It's their dreams, and I hope they all come true.  Mine have to wait until three weeks later.  When I get tired in Columbus, I will remember the faces of Akron and know that I can give no less.

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be."  If the good Dr. Sheehan said so, then it sounds like a great philosophy to bring with you on marathon morning.  I know I will.

Week eleven is in the books.  There are seven more to go. It's like waiting for Christmas but Santa first has to know I've been good.  Son of a gun.  No Swensens until the evening of October 18. Its a sacrifice but its part of my plan to become the person I believe I was meant to be.  Success to me, is making a finish in Columbus happen with a smile. However, the Finale to my eighteen weeks of training begins with the spirit of others along a blue line and their dreams as they follow its path.

Week 10 - Phil

I love my brothers and sisters.  We are all so very different from one and other and its great.  My younger brother Gerry is an amazing guitarist.  We have performed together numerous times but he is much better than I will ever be or hope to be on the guitar.

Gerry on the left and Phil Hailer in the Bruins sweatshirt, November 2013.  I'm at 245 pounds in this picture!

The oldest of my younger sisters Paula is a great artist.  She is my favorite artist and not just because she is my sister.  She paints scenes from life that anybody can look at and relate to and say, "I feel like I'm there."

My favorite work of Paula's, Fenway Park:

My sister Karla is a gifted educator.  She was great with inspiring young children to read long before she did it for a living.  Kids love her.

Grace Anne, who is the youngest of all of us, keeps me in line.  There is nothing I can do that she can't hammer.  We don't see each other that often but when we do, it's like we talked a couple of hours ago. Anything I do or have done is fair game for her humor.  She has managed the business affairs of various Washington, D.C. law firms for years and that was after a long distinguished career as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill.

Grace Anne in the upper left and Paula lower right and of course, "Hot Breath Houlihan" in the middle:

Then there is my older brother Phil.  He was my best friend growing up. I didn't have to be his but he was mine.  He was the perfect "Big Brother."  He didn't bully me like lots of big brothers can do.

From Christmas 1953:

He also didn't put up with any crap from me. Phil included me in a lot of stuff that he did as we were growing up. We went to Boston Patriot, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics' games together as teens.  We played a lot of driveway football and Whiffle ball together.  We saw the Stones, The Beatles, The Beach Boys with Brian Wilson, and all sorts of other classic rock and pop acts together.  Phil blazed the trail with our conservative parents and took the heat for things that I was later allowed to do without question. I chose Ohio Northern University for college in part because Phil was sixty miles up the road in Bowling Green. How'd that workout for me?

Here's Phil in the winter of 2010:

In college I changed my preferred participation sport from high school football to college cross country.  I started out running in cross country meets at around seven minutes a mile thinking that I sucked because I was dead last.  Phil was the one who helped me gain perspective so I didn't quit.  When complaining to him about my lack of performance he pointed out that I was nuts and explained in a brotherly tone how few people could do what I was doing.  He also pointed out that I had lost 30 pounds my freshman year as my team workouts averaged about seventy miles per week.

Phil was the first in the family to run a major road race. It was the 1977 New York City Marathon that went through all five NYC  Boroughs as opposed to its early days when it just went through Central Park. While Phil and I age wise are in our upper sixties now, our parents back then were 52.  The thought of running in a race back then never crossed their mind.  They thought when it came to running that we were nuts.  They were right but for all the reasons parents know about their children.

Phil and I ran the Boston Marathon together as bandits when the race had about 2,000 runners.  Now before any of my running purist friends get upset, at that time, being in "The Back of the Pack" was okay.  In fact we were even welcomed as long as we didn't get in the other runners' way.  Heck, at that time we were just bodies on the road.  There were no official water stops until Canadian Jerome Drayton after winning the race pointed out the race management faux pas. Back in the 1970's as it does now, the Boston Marathon race management hands out numbers to VIPs in the Boston area for runners who do not qualify.* A Groucho Marx look a like was in the back of the pack every year, and still is to my knowledge but much older, handing out race numbers that say, "Back of the Pack."

National television stories were done about runners like us. Bandits like Roberta Gibb, the first known woman to run as a bandit, Nina Kuscsik, a bandit her first three Boston Marathons, and arguably K.V. Switzer to name another.  Yes it was a different time.  Phil ran a lot of years as an invited runner until it was determined last year that he was no longer a race VIP.  Phil like me would not think of just jumping in the race without meeting today's charity or invited or qualifying standards.  Like I said, things are different now.  But bother Phil last year ran the Boston Marathon much like race director Dave McGillivray does every year. After the race was over, sister Karla drove him to Hopkinton in the mid-afternoon rain and Phil ran the Boston Marathon course. This next April we are both doing that.  If you would like to join us then please do.  Instead of the "Running of the Bulls," it'll be "The Running of the Bums."  It has a nice ring to it if you ask me.  We are legitimate bandits once again!

Phil, April 2015 running his own Boston Marathon:

I thought of this today and it was a driving force in my half marathon effort today.  This week of the training scheduled was "screwed up." I believe that is a technical term used by everyone everywhere to provide a cleaner version of what we are really thinking.  My legs from Falmouth hurt. Doing 36 miles in 48 hours four days after you have dental surgery is not smart. There I said it.  But I would do it again on a similar journey to the one I'm on. In fact I did today.

Much like some of my favorite female runners, Greta Waitz, Paula Radcliffe, and the first official winner of the Boston Marathon, Nina Kuscsik, I was having gastro intestinal issues.  The difference for me was that I was not going to be on international television and, being slower, I had a choice of Portable Plastic Temporary Manufactured Housing ("PPTMH") at my disposal.  (Maybe a slight pun but not intentional). There was no way that I was going to avoid running in Cleveland today.  I woke up sick but in my mind I just had to run.

Greta Waitz in one of her NYC Marathon wins:

The Boss was ready.  I was motivated but I was experiencing lower abdominal pain. I then thought about not running but then I could hear Phil as I would be telling the story.  He would be doing his impression of Jim McKay of ABC's announcing of Greta Waitz when she halfway in the NYC Marathon had "issues." McKay pointed out to everybody who was watching or listening and then invited analysis from the runner reporters. You already know from a previous post that Greta is my number one sports hero.  I figured it was go time no matter what.  Good enough for Greta, good enough for me! The best part was the Boss was in my corner, and unfortunately for her, would also be in the same car with me if it didn't go well.

I finished today.  There was a stop at a gas station at the Ohio Turnpike entrance on the way to the race.  There was a random stop at a PPTMH unit in Downtown Cleveland that appeared out of nowhere as we got close to our eventual parking spot.  I did the live parking in the street with the flashers on while I checked out the housing unit.  (I think Greta and Phil willed the presence of the PPTMH for me). During the race, there were three stops along the way.  Kind of graphic, eh? Well, every runner sometime goes through it and some more than others on certain days.  Today was my day. Clearly I would have been faster but so what?

The good news is that my objective was to finish with a time with a "2"in front of a bunch of numbers, much like in guessing the price of the car on the TV show The Price Is Right.  I finished in 2:58:54.  I was 1,054 out of 1127 and 478 out of 490 males.  I was 11 out of 14 in my age group.  But that's not the whole story.  In Jim Chaney's NFL Hall of Fame Marathon in April, my half marathon time was 3:34:44.  At the time I was 20 pounds heavier.  I also was a guy who was just a few days short of the one year anniversary of a stroke.  Today I had issues and a will to overcome my obstacles, concerns and questions such as, "I wonder if there's any toilet paper left in the PPTMH?"
I feel real good about today.  Of course now that I have written this, its Open Season from my siblings and in particular Grace Anne.

On the plus side, even while Phil is mocking me the next time I talk to him, I know he understands. Every runner does.  No, not that.  It's, "I'm a runner.  Race day isn't always going to be perfect.  Now shut up and run."  It's what Phil would do and he's my big brother.  Enough said.